The reason to go RWD/AWD conversion in a 3rd gen is, for me, because they have the shape that best mimics an R34 4-Door Skyline. That's what I really want. But since it is next to impossible to get one over here then why not mod the Maxima to as close as possible?

As for proper RWD weight distribution, why not cut the front clip off and extended the unibody/frame rails to move the front axle forward and make space for a RWD drivetrain? Weld/Reinforce it really well and then throw some R34 body panels on and call it a Skyline.

Anyway, that's my dream. If not, I could always go cosmetic w/ the R34 conversion and just add a killer FWD turbo and 5-spd swap.

 

that would be a bishload of work to go clone, i would just go 5spd, turbo, install R32 tailights, R32 body kit (ive heard R32 are the easiest to use on a 3rd gen)

honestly if you want a 4dr Skyline your best odds are getting someone in Japan to take one apart for you and ship you the parts and you rebuild it as a kit car, or maybe just come here to Canada and get a JDM one you can get a 4dr R32 GTS-T for $2000-$5000 or a R33 for a couple grand more, or just wait until 2014 when it will be legal for us to import R34

i wouldnt ever be able to, but i wonder if it would be possible for me to buy a JDM Skyline, drive it over to you in the states, and sell you it?

this ones just more because of the RB26 swap, i'm buying a 4dr GTS-T or GTR eventually

http://edmonton.kijiji.ca/c-cars-veh...AdIdZ174388617

 

Ya, that's pro'lly what I'll do, but I'll go with R34 conversion front and rear. I already have the R34 sedan taillights.

The problem with the US is that there are much stricter import laws. Cars have to undergo crash testing and emissions upgrades, etc to be approved and already the R34 is officially off the list, as is the R32 and R33 I think. Only previously imported R32/3/4's that were brought in when Motorex was in "good" standing are legal and they are few and far between and very expensive. Plus they never imported 4dr Skylines. So, it wouldn't work to get one from Canada, and the only way to import one is as a shell and install a drivetrain from here. There is a company doing that but it costs about $90k, about the same as a brand new R35. Not too interested in that.

I figure I'll learn how to do most the fabing myself and a good Max>Skyline conversion will cost not more than ~$20k. Either that or try to fool the government somehow and hope they don't catch/fine me or crush the car.

 

if you can figure out how to do that without interfering with the slope of the hood and the contour of the fenders... be my guest

mid-engine would still be the way to go tho... get a vq35 6spd and super-long shifter cables... yea.

 

Mid-engine, as in the back seat?

 

mnot 100% sure where it would sit but it might be at the cost of the back seat, yea. you might be able to keep the backseat on the driver side where the tranny would be tho. full double-firewall of course, for safety reasons.

 

you sure you'll be able to do R34 tailights? i would think the design of the R32 would work better

theres a guy on here who has a 3rd gen with Skyline tailights too, think he used R32's or R33's

 

Hmmm... no thanks. The idea is to keep a 5 passenger family sedan lay out, but add performance.

Jonmandude has the white Max with R33 tails. They're OK but R34 is definitely my preference.

 

extending the front frame rails isn't gonna be the way to do it tho, if you want the car to look nonretarded and be able to park it. plus the increase in wheelbase will mean you'll need to reconfigure the ackerman angle on the steering knuckles... or find a way to user a shorter engine, like a STi engine or a mazda rotay engine and keep the front clip stock minus relocating the steering rack which would be in the way of the tranny. this is for RWD-only... AWD just leave everything as it is (except the rack) and go from there, since many awd cars (like audis) have the motor way out front anyways.

 

What about just taking a complete Skyline front clip and welding it on to the Maxima body?

 

first thing i would wonder is how safe that would be

 

why not just get the clip from jdm pulsar gti-r and subframe and then u have the best of all worlds killer horsepower and awd yes the trans are the same all the way to the internal gearing

 

thats the swap i'm considering!!!!If they can make FWD Eclipses AWD just from the rear subframe assy, fuel tank, and awd tranny and driveshaft the certainly its possible to make the maxima AWD!!! But I want to try out the turbo swap first as I already have most the parts i need but lack the injectors, Z32 MAF, and the rest of the necessary piping and BOV for the install!!

 

y when u can just by the damned camaro and lighten it!!!!!If u wanted the camaro why not just by the camaro in the first place!!!! The z31 powerplant is far more advanced all over especailly in terms of reliability. If a V8 swap is ur goal then hy not use the VH41DE or the VH45DE or one its its 5.6L counterparts form the newer Q-45 and Titan series

 

because
the J30 chassis NEVER came AWD, unlike a talon which was available AWD
because for the price of a 600hp SBC you get a 200hp nissan motor.

 

Why not just do a M30 that's already RWD and can fit whatever.

 

on putting American engines into Japanese cars

baby Jesus cries a tear everytime someone does one of those engine swaps

 

good thing only girls worship baby jesus. good, gear wrenching men go with the adult jesus, who believes in MOAR POWAR!




besides, I don't recall anyone putting a Canadian engine in any car....

 

cause we import JDM engines from Japan or theyre already floating around in online ads from wrecked JDM cars

seriously though people shat a brick when they made the Mustang with the RB26DETT for Tokyo Drift yet Dbags are putting Chevrolet engines in 240z all the time?

 

Guys... STFU abotu the domestic vs Jap bull****. Grow up and realize people have different goals and tastes.

Whether you like V8s or not, they're cheap, reliable, and easy to install and build. The guys putting them in their cars are interested in what they will do, not what brand is on the front of it.

and since this thread has gone SERIOUSLY off track, I'm gonna fix that.